The RailStaff Awards 2024

James Edwards

Govia Thameslink Railway

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Nominations for Rail Person of the Year

Victoria O'Reilly

Said the following about James Edwards:

“James started with GTR in 2016 as a Rail Enforcement Officer. He came to us from the Metropolitan Police and with that brought a wealth of experience. James was always leading the team as a colleague and active in mentoring and working pro-actively with stations. In 2020 James became REO Team Leader for Thameslink managing 10 REOs on the route. A difficult time to take over a team who worked throughout the pandemic and had to look at different ways of interacting with passengers and maintaining safety on the railway. James is dedicated to his role and his team making himself available in and outside of working hours. Along with leading the REOs he also manages the Travel Safe Officers on the Thameslink and Great Northern Routes. He analyses information to ensure his officers are at the right place to support staff on the network.

James chairs the Personal Safety Group working closely with health and safety Union Reps looking at staff assaults and working together to make the railway a safer place to work. A strong relationship with BTP sees James and a BTP Sgt visit staff along the route for informal discussions on what can be done to help them at work, how we can reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. James, along with myself, also created a training package in relation to counter terrorism and how station staff react to a live terror incident. This was rolled out through theory and practical scenarios on the Stations using Hot and What procedures. On top of all this he also patrols the network with his team. James is such an important and forward thinking part of GTR and I hope this nomination recognises the hard work he has put in over the past 6 years. Looking forward he symbolises our Zero Harm message by putting our passengers and staff first.“

Bernadette Lee

Said the following about James Edwards:

“James and I joined GTR together in 2016 as a Rail Enforcement Officers. From day 1 James was always approachable and exceptionally efficient in all tasks he undertook. James always leads his team working pro-actively with stations. James is dedicated to his role and his team and is always available for that quick call from stations seeking advice, be it day or night. He analyses information to ensure his officers are at the right place to support staff on the network. James has built a strong relationship with BTP and both will regularly visit stations along the route to have discussions on what can be done to help staff in the workplace. To discuss how we can reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. James plays a pivotal role within GTR and I hope this nomination recognises the hard work he puts in day in day out to help keep our stations/Communities a safer place to live and work in.“

Erin Farrell

Said the following about James Edwards:

“James is the team leader for the Rail Enforcement Officers for the TL route. I worked with James directly in 2016 and 2017 when I was a British Transport Police officer based at Luton station. And again between 2019 and 2020 when I was a Police Sergeant at St Pancras.

James truly goes above and beyond in his role. James single handily helped me to secure countless prosecutions and through his own hard work and tenacity supplied us with great intelligence.

James has a genuine passion for keeping the railways safe and his people skills have not only made him extremely popular with police officers and his fellow GTR colleagues but also customers. I now also work for GTR - despite not working closely with James he is still a friendly face I see all the time. I think it is time for James to be recognised for all his hard work in tackling issues but also building and motivating his team to be just like him.“